Lacing device



April 22, 1941. E. E. HILLS LACING DEVICE Filed Dec. 26, 1939 gmwm 2Z5 Patented Apr. 22, 1941 LACING DEVICE Ernest E. Hills, Oshkosh, Wis., assignor of onehalf to John E.

Schein, Oshkosh, Wis.

Application December 26, 1939, Serial No. 310,986

2 Claims.

This invention relates to a lacing device, and it is an object of the invention to provide a device of this kind which can be readily and effectively applied to the flap of a shoe upper or otherwise as may be required and wherein the device is of a character particularly adapted for use in connection with a fiat or wide shoe lace.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved lacing device whereby certain important advantages are attained and the article rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary view in elevation of a shoe upper having lacing devices applied thereto constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention;

Figure 2 is a detailed sectional view taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view in plan of the blank from which one of my improved devices is formed;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary'view in plan illustrating a slightly modified form of attachment of one of my improved devices.

As illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 of the draw-, ing, the outer free marginal portions of the flaps F of a shoe upper have secured therealong in desired spaced relation through the medium of the clinching eyelets or grommets l a number of lacing devices L. Each of these lacing devices L comprises an elongated plate of metal or other desired material of preferred dimensions and this plate or body at one end portion thereof is provided with an opening 2 of a size to permit the snug passage therethrough of an eyelet or grommet I whereby the device L may be effectively secured to the desired marginal portion of a flap F as is particularly illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawing. The point of attachment of the body or plate to the flap F is such as to allow the end portion of the plate or body remote from the opening 2 to project beyond the adjacent or associated margin of the flap F and with said margin of the flap F substantially flush with the inner longitudinal edge a of an elongated slot 3 provided in the plate or body and extending transversely thereof.

This slot or opening 3 is provided by striking out from the body or plate a flap 4 and then bending said flap 4 back and under the plate or body as particularly illustrated in Figure 2 whereby the outer longitudinal edge of the slot or opening 3 is of a character to permit a shoe lace or the like to be threaded through the opening or slot 3 with liability of injury to the lace substantially eliminated.

By using lacing devices L as herein embodied and arranged as in Figure 1 of the drawing, a flat or wide shoe lace may be readily employed increasing the dressy appearance of a shoe and also giving a corsage effect. The lace may be of any color or any combination of colors and may also be of any material preferred.

In Figure 4 the device L is constructed the same as illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 but the same extends between the laminations of the flap G of the shoe upper with the adjacent marginal portions of said laminations 5 extending slightly beyond the adjacent portion of the opening 3. This permits such portions of the laminations 5 to be connected by a row of stitching B to provide a protection or guard along said inner longitudinal marginal portion of the opening 3.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that a lacing device constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and employed, and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification without departing from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1. A lacing device comprising a plate provided with means at its rear end portion for securing the same to the marginal portion of the flap of a shoe upper or the like, the opposite or front end portion having a flap cut therefrom and disposed transversely thereof, the forward marginal portion of the flap being integral with the plate, said flap being outwardly returned for contact with a face of the plate, said returned flap providing a slot for the passage of a shoe lace.

overlying portion of the plate to the flap, the opposite end portion of the plate extending beyond a margin of the flap, said extended portion of the plate being provided with a transversely disposed slot through which a shoe lace is to be threaded, the inner margin of said slot and the 

